LINDSTROM, BASHA, MRSIC, SMITH & SPILKA CRACK NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RANKINGS
Medicine Hat, AB – The first round of NHL Central Scouting Rankings was released Wednesday morning and four Medicine Hat Tigers have made the list.
Tigers Centre Cayden Lindstrom (Chetwynd, BC) is one of 28 skaters to be ranked as an ‘A’ rated prospect, which by NHL Central Scouting indicates a first round candidate in the upcoming NHL Draft in Las Vegas.
Lindstrom, 17, has 15 points with the Tigers thus far this season scoring ten goals (5 PPG) and five assists through the Tigers first 12 games of the season. Lindstrom also has won 116 of 206 face-offs he’s been involved with put him at 56% in the dots to started the year.
Cayden was taken in the third round by the Tigers in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft #54 overall. In his WHL career Lindstrom has played in 79 games, accumulating 29 goals and 28 assist for 57 points. While also winning a gold medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup this past summer with Team Canada.
Tigers forward Andrew Basha (Calgary, AB) was ID’d as a ‘B’ rated prospect, indicated as a 2nd or 3rd round selection in the upcoming draft.
Entering his third season with the Black & Orange, Basha has 13 points (4 goals, 9 assists) in all 12 of Medicine Hat’s games, while in his career has played in 127 games, notching 29 goals and 54 assists.
Basha was selected in 5th round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft #105 overall.
Centre Tomas Mrsic (Surrey, BC) has been ID’d as a ‘C’ prospects indicating as a 4th or 5th round pick in the draft.
In his sophomore season with the Tigers, Mrsic has 10 points, (3 goals, 7 assists) in twelve games with the Tigers. While his career line sits at 80 games played with 13 goals, 21 assists for 34 total points.
Mrsic represented Canada at last year’s World U17 Challenge where he suited up for Team Canada Red winning a silver medal.
2nd year Centre Shane Smith, (Cessford, AB) cracks the Central Scouting ranks as a ‘W’ skater. Indicating a 6th or 7th round pick in the draft.
Smith so far in the 2023-2024 season has 10 goals, 4 assists in 12 games played. Tied for the team lead in goals with Cayden Lindstrom.
In his WHL career Smith has suited up in 88 games, scoring 29 goals along with 17 assists for 46 points. Smith was selected in the 3rd round of the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft, #51 overall.
Tigers forward Vasyl Spilka was given a Limited Viewing ranking as he is returning from injury to start the season and did not have enough viewings to have a ‘W’ ranking but has made the Players to Watch List.
Spilka was drafted this past summer in the CHL Import Draft in the 2nd round, 87th overall.
For the complete list visit HERE.
Get your first chance to see Cayden Lindstrom, Andrew Basha, Tomas Mrsic, Shane Smith & Vasyl Spilka will be Friday night’s home game against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Get your tickets HERE.